Fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) are important for the development of the mid-/hindbrain region (MHR). The inactivation of Fgf8 in the MHR leads to a complete loss of tissue in that region. A conditional mouse mutant for the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (Fgfr1) gene in the MHR exhibits only restricted tissue loss in that region, allowing for a detailed analysis of the function of Fgfr1 in patterning and neuronal specification. Indeed, a specific role for Fgfr1 in the development of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons was found in the ventral MHR of conditional Fgfr1 mutant mice. Furthermore, a series of intercrosses between conditional Fgfr1 MHR mutants and Fgfr2 conditional mice showed, that the contribution of Fgfr1 to development of the MHR is more crucial than that of Fgfr2. This is probably due to the more abundant expression of Fgfr1 in the MHR, but also includes differential gene dosage effects.
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Fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) are important for the development of the mid-/hindbrain region (MHR). The inactivation of Fgf8 in the MHR leads to a complete loss of tissue in that region. A conditional mouse mutant for the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (Fgfr1) gene in the MHR exhibits only restricted tissue loss in that region, allowing for a detailed analysis of the function of Fgfr1 in patterning and neuronal specification. Indeed, a specific role for Fgfr1 in the development of dopami...
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